Stress Urinary Incontinence Treatment

Millions of women have sudden urine loss or stress urinary incontinence (SUI). The condition causes them to leak urine when they laugh, sneeze, cough, or during exercise. Female SUI is caused in part by an improperly functioning urethra. Unlike other types of incontinence, SUI is not a problem of the bladder. Normally, the urethra maintains a tight seal to prevent involuntary loss of urine. In a woman with SUI, muscle and pelvic tissue weakened by childbirth or other causes are unable to adequately support the urethra in its correct position. As a result, when pressure is exerted on the bladder from the diaphragm during sudden movements, the urethra cannot maintain its seal and urine escapes.

Mirabile M.D. offers a couple of options for those suffering from stress urinary incontinence.

Outpatient mesh treatment option

A simple, proven outpatient treatment option for women experiencing this condition is the mesh procedure. A mesh tape procedure is a traditional surgical procedure known as a sling to correct SUI. The mesh is woven through pelvic tissue and positioned underneath the urethra, creating a supportive sling. When pressure is exerted, the tape provides the supported needed to allow the urethra to maintain its seal. The treatment has been performed on over one million women worldwide. A recent study shows that even seven years after treatment, 81 percent of women treated remained dry, while an additional 16 percent experienced significant improvement.

Although so many women experience sudden urine loss, most women are not aware that it is a treatable condition. Women may suffer in silence and put off activities that they enjoy. The sling is a proven treatment that can help women to live free from leakage. The treatment restores the body’s ability to function properly. One of the benefits of the sling is that we can do an intra-operative test to assess the results of the surgery. By simulating an increase in the intra-abdominal pressure, we can check the tension of the tape and make any adjustments. This can help to improve success rates.

Patients treated go home as early as an hour after the procedure. Patients can expect a minimal recovery period. During this time, there should be little interference with daily activities. The patient may be advised to avoid heavy lifting and intercourse for four to six weeks.